Hope Sundered

Commander Jaxin tensed, keeping his eyes locked on the ornate double doors. He could hear the commotion outside the throne room, the futile efforts of his remaining Diorian guards trying to repel the invaders.

Despite the sounds of clashing steel and shouts of valor, he knew his men would fail. In a matter of minutes, the attackers would burst in to demand Baron Malphus’s immediate surrender. Jaxin wiped the sweat from his brow, adjusted his grip on his two-handed sword, and prepared for a fight to the bitter end.

Life wasn’t fair; all those tournaments, always finishing second to Captain Endari of Wyndham. Jaxin had been training so hard. This coming spring was going to be different. He was finally going to dethrone the capital’s favorite son.

But the invasion happened so fast. Some claimed they came from the harbor, others said the plains, but no one knew for sure amid the chaos and panic. The mysterious soldiers were everywhere all at once. They’d been so efficient, so swift. Jaxin and his men never stood a chance.

By the time he’d raised the alarm, half of his force had been slain. Now, still hours before daybreak, he estimated less than twenty of his men were alive to defend the palace. He hated the fact his last stand would be defending the likes of Baron Malphus, who quaked behind his opulent throne, mewling like the coward he was.

Inevitability closed in at a relentless pace, and Jaxin saw no profit in sacrificing himself for a lost cause. The urge to flee, to be anywhere but here, screamed in the back of his mind and pounded in his chest like a wild animal desperate to be free of its cage. His thoughts raced to conjure a plan, but nothing viable presented itself.

Moments later the doors exploded inward, revealing a tight formation of Azrahteran soldiers, garbed in green and black uniforms, bearing swords and spears dripping with the blood of countless Diorians, guard and civilian alike. The soldiers fanned out but didn’t advance.

Every hair on Jaxin’s head stood on end as he surveyed the men before him. Being a seasoned fighter, he knew he wouldn’t be able to overcome these odds. He recalled a story he once heard of Endari defeating six armed men at once without suffering so much as a scratch.

Jaxin’s eyes narrowed. He decided he’d kill at least seven Azrahterans before falling, a feat he hoped would reach his rival’s ears someday. He tightened his grip as tremors of anxious anticipation coursed through his veins. This wasn’t the end he wanted, but fate never offered a choice.

He readied himself to launch forward with a battle cry certain to cause his enemies to recoil, but then the wall of soldiers parted and a thin, wiry man sauntered into the room. Jaxin took note of his immaculate grooming, distinguished uniform, and exquisite rapier.

The other soldiers fed on the man’s poise and confidence like beggars at a free banquet, evident in their exaggerated display of attention. In spite of the dire situation, Jaxin admired him. He wondered if anyone else ever saw him in a similar manner. The way everyone viewed Captain Endari of Wyndham.

“I come all this way, yet the great Merchant Lord of Dioria doesn’t have the good taste to welcome me?” the man exclaimed, feigning disappointment.

He snapped his fingers, and two of his men rushed forward, ignoring Jaxin as they passed to collect Malphus from behind the throne. They dragged him by the arms and dropped him on his knees before the admiral. Jaxin didn’t make a move to stop them.

“Ah, there you are, Baron Malphus.,” the man said as he examined his captive. “A man of many comforts. Fond of wine and fonder still of women, or so I’m told. I’d wager you’ve never been without either until this night. I don’t blame your harem for fleeing; you know how foreign men can be.” He smiled, inciting howls and whistles from his men.

“Who…who are you?” Malphus asked, his words seeping through a mesh of terror wrapped around his voice.

“I’m Laeroset, Admiral of the Azrahteran Navy, and I’m here on behalf of Emperor Aguliss to inform you this city now belongs to him.”

“P-perhaps we can n-negotiate…”

Laeroset leaned forward, his face inches from the baron’s. His eyes gleamed with a wickedness that chilled Jaxin to the bone. “You’ve been conquered, Your Roundness. The negotiations are concluded.”

“Spare me, please! I have gold!” Malphus cried. His eyes quivered with tears as he babbled on, professing his immeasurable value to his captor.

Laeroset rolled his eyes and sighed. “Come now, man. Have a little self-respect.” He shook his head. “I’m actually embarrassed for you.”

Jaxin had never seen such a lack of composure from the pompous baron. He found it difficult to watch the spectacle. Until this day he’d been proud to be a Diorian, but now disgust had seized his features for all to see.

He couldn’t begrudge Malphus his desire to continue breathing, but Jaxin decided he’d face his end like a man, with his breeches dry and his dignity intact.

“You’re the city’s Guard Commander, are you not?” Laeroset asked, turning to address him.

“Who, me?” he replied, surprised to be the sudden focus of attention. “Uh, yes, Admiral, I am—or at least I was until you arrived.”

Laeroset smiled. “Ah, now that’s more like it! You see Baron? This man knows how to address his betters and he recognizes the truth of his situation. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate a straight answer to a simple question.”

He looked Jaxin over. “I like you, Commander. You may be just what I need. I wish to make our little transition of power as smooth as possible. I require the people here to continue on as if nothing’s changed, and I need someone local, someone familiar to the public to facilitate this. So, will you trade your loyalty for your life?”

With his eyes he led Jaxin’s gaze to Baron Malphus and nodded once. Laeroset’s intentions were all too clear. Jaxin looked down into the baron’s eyes, which widened with even more terror at the sudden realization of his impending death.

A twinge of guilt brushed Jaxin’s heart, not for his willingness to execute the city’s less than worthless leader, but because he knew Endari would disapprove. If thrust into this scenario, the Wyndhamite champion would refuse to compromise his principles and die with honor.

Jaxin scowled. Not everyone had the luxury of moral conviction.

“No, no, no!” Malphus pleaded, shaking his head as Jaxin leveled his blade at the baron’s heart.

“Apologies Baron, but business is business,” Jaxin said with an apathetic shrug. His eyes were like ice, and his face was devoid of expression. Before Malphus could utter another word Jaxin drove his sword home, skewering the fat man with one powerful thrust. The baron’s last breath escaped with an agonizing grunt before he pitched forward to lie face down at the admiral’s feet.

“Well done, Commander,” Laeroset purred with an approving smile. “It seems I’ve chosen well. Now go, collect all of your men who still draw breath and offer them the same choice. There’s much to be done.”